The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-03-13
A. VERY GREAT SCANDAL.
THE MARRIAGE OF WIDOW BELL
TO Mr.. GROCER,
Who Has a first Wife Residing In
New YOrk-sOciety GAN
Breke Up"


tice which appeared in yesterdays
marriage column of the World Of the
nuptials of Mr.. Eugene Cruger and
Meta Kane Bell in London, Satur-
day, caused a decided sensation in
society circles. 1t was known that
Mr.. Cruger had been exceedingly at
tentive to Mrs. Bell, who is the
young widow Of the late Walton Bell,
for two years past, but inasmuch as
there has been no knowledge of q
divorce having been granted either
himself or his wife, formerly Miss
Spedden, the sensation is natural.
Mr.. CruRer, nephew OF Col. Van
Rensselaer, D. Cruger, is a member
OF the old Knickerboc&er family OF
that name, and is now about 81 years
old. Having competency, he led a
lite of travel aud leisure until his
marriage seven years ago to Miss
Spedden, daughter of Mr.. II. M.
Speddeu, New Orleans merchant,
who came to New York with his fam
lily to reside about twelve years ago.
Both Mr., Cruger and Miss Spedden
were very enthusiastic and accom-
pliShed musicians, and this mutual
taste first brought them together.
Alter their marriage Mr.. Cruger
took up the real estate business for
some time with his uncle, Col. Cru
ger. He lett this TO go abroad four
years ago for two years s0iOurn
with Ills wife, and when he returned
in 1885 formed a partnership with
his father law, Mr.. Spedden, to
transact general brokerage bust
ness, This partnership has been re-
Gently dis olved by the retirement of
Mr.. Cruger. Mr.. Cruger, who is a
fiue looking man, had never gone
much in society before his marriage.
After his marriage, however, he sud
denly developed a de cided taste for
society, and New York society, to
which Miss Spedden was also com
parative stranger, owing to her being
new conner in the city, gladly well
coined the young couple, who soon
became exceedingly popular. About
this time Mr.. Uruger joined the
Lambs Club and became we'll
known figure in that aud other up
town clubs.
1t was soon after their arrival in
Europe in 1884 that rumors began 10
be heard that the young couple were
lot living happily, and that the wife
had taken her husband abroad to
remove him from the society of son o
rather too gay companions. These
rumors gradually died away until
they were confirmed in the arrival
home of Mr.. and Mrs. Cruger two
years ago and their almost immedi-
ate separation. Two children had
meanwhile arrived on the scene, and
with these Mrs, Cruger went to live
with her parents.
Notwithstanding the fact of their |
separation there was little talk of i
divorce, and as far as known no steps |
Of divorce had been taken until re-
Gently by either of them. Mrs. Bell, |
who is a daughter Of the late Pierre |
Kane and a cousin of Col. Delaney |
Kane, was left widow five or six |
years ago. Her husband was we'll |
known young member of the Union
Club aud connection Of Mrs. Isaac
Bell. They had only been married
few years when he DIED, leaving his |
widow good property. Soon after |
Mr.. Crugers return from Europe
stories OF a mutual iniatuation be-
tween Mr.. Bell aud him elf began TO
be- circulated. In fact, it is said that
friends of Mrs. Bell warned her that
scandal would eDsue if she per
nitted Mrs. Cruger's attentions any
onger. She went abroad last sum
ner and Mr.. Cruger went over thrt
months ago. The first Mrs. Cruger
s a warm friend of Mrs. Louis
aud they are continually
ogether. Mrs. Crue r sailed fort
hight ago with Mrs. Hamersley for n
hort European trip. 1t was their
to go first to London, where
hey must have arrived at the time
t Mr.. Cruger's marriage to Mrs.
Bell. About a month ago II. III.
ieattle, well known lawyer, OBJ
aimed an absolute divorce for Mrs.
,ruger from her husband. 1t was
ranled in this State, and under our
avs Mr.. Cruger has no right to re-
marry.
Last night reporter called at the
ipedden residence. Mrs. Spedden
t first declined to make any state
lcnt Whatever concerning the di-
orce. Finally, after much persua-
ion, she SAID:
This matter has been a terrible
hing to all of us. We had desired
0 keepit quiet, so as not to occasion
ny talk, but these people, Mr.. Cru
or and Mrs. Bel, have brought it
II upon w. 1t is bad taste for them
0 haunt this so called marriage in
ur face, for Mrs. Crueer has no
,ght to marry again. My daughter
card about month ago that they
ad gone over to Paris and tried to
ct married there, but had failed to
ave the ceremony PERFORMED aud
ad gone back to London. She sup
osed that they had gone through
he form Immediately after that and
elore she started for Europe. She
-eDt abroad solely because her
ealth was poor, and it was thought
be change would do her good. No
ne knows what she has had to put
p with from Mr.. Cruger. Steps for
divorce were put off as long as pos
bile, but it was out of the questioR
,r INV dauphtnr In try IA Ivn with |